Customer Reviews

Vh1 Music First - Behind the Music: Do It for Love

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3 star:		(2)
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They had recorded a CD of new material that was shot down by the record company and this is the alternative that was chosen.

The problem is that there are MYRIAD H&O compilations in the store racks. However, there are three new recordings worth listening to as well as a great surprise......

Contrary to some other opinions, I believe the live version of "Every Time You Go Away" is CLASSIC and worth the price of the CD alone. I owe an apology to Mr. Hall for being ignorant of his penning this song. Like many others, I knew only of the grammy-winning version recorded in the mid 80's, which become once of the biggest "corn-ball wedding songs of all time on the Bar Mitzvah circuit." However, here they re-claim it with a stunning rendition, complete with many different styles (gospel organ and singer alone, unplugged acoustic guitar, gospel choir, sax solo then guitar solo after a stretched out R&B flavor)....I LOVED IT!! Shows you the well is far from dry in the creativity dept...the song was recorded just a few months ago..

Sony, get real and get the new material out of the can....these guys are like fine wine.

When I purchased this cd, I noticed that 3 new songs were added. I'm embarrassed to admit I was skeptical about liking them because I wanted to hear the old songs. Geez, was I out in left field! Somebody Like You, Heartbreak Time, and Do It For Love are without a doubt the strongest songs on the cd and stellar new additions to their catalog. Masterful writing and production and vocals that seem to be aging like fine wine all add up to one incredible cd. I passed it along to a friend of mine and his reaction was, "Well, these guys sure haven't lost their touch".

Thank God these guys are back! As a baby boomer, I get so depressed at the state of the music industry today. And then, like a breath of fresh air, along come Daryl and John sounding better than ever. True talent may evolve but never disappears. Buy this cd and treat yourself to some incredible music!

I know what some of you Hall and Oates fans are thinking. "I already have all of those other songs, so I'm not going to buy a CD just for three new songs that may not be that good anyway." If that's what you're thinking, it's a big mistake.
The three new songs are well worth the money. I never thought anyone could improve Daryl's "Someone Like You," but the Hall and Oates version "Somebody Like You" is stunning. "Do It for Love" is vintage Hall and Oates and great to hear. And even the over 9 minute live version of "Everytime You Go Away" recorded earlier this year in Budapest will blow you away.
Plus, no matter how many CDs you have with those same songs, how can you go wrong with them? Thank you VH1 for this collection!!!

The three new tracks are my reason for purchasing this CD and
they are Good,Very Good. Of three new recording Heartbreak Time
I like best,It has a old soul feel you don't hear nor feel in
music today.

Wouldn't it be great if the airwaves could be graced by these guys again? Too often, Hall & Oates are only thought of for their 80's heyday, and while that period put out some great songs, people overlook the early days; along with gems from more recent albums, and some great, more obscure material in between.
While this collection certainly doesn't accurately represent the duo's career, it has a decent amount of the hits, and then the bonus/new tracks make it all worthwhile.
First off, there is a new version of a Daryl Hall solo hit "Someone Like You"(now,"Somebody Like You") included, that gives the song a completely new, more relaxed, soulful approach; there is also a near ten minute, previously unreleased, live version of "Every Time You Go Away", a song originally from "Voices", that was covered and made a hit by Paul Young.. While this one might go on just a little too long, it gives you a good idea of just how soulful the guys can be, and what a wide range of material they are capable of as well; after all, this one was originally from the same album as "Kiss On My List"(good song, but you get the point). If what you've heard so far isn't enough to draw you in, there are also worthwhile live versions of "She's Gone" and "Kiss On My List"(rather have the originals), a rare mix of "Eveything Your Heart Desires", and last, but certainly not least, there are two, completely new tracks included; "Do It For Love" and "Heartbreak Time".. What can I say, both of these songs deserve praise, and in my humble opinion, with the exception of maybe one or two songs, are better then anything from the "Marigold Sky" album; so I think it might just be time for a complete album of new material! "Heartbreak Time" sounds like it could be from any old R&B great from the late 60's, early 70's, and "Do It For Love" is just an upbeat, catchy song.. So, what are you waiting for? Pick this album up, and while you're at it, give your local "Adult Contemporary", "R&B" or, heck, even your "Top 40" stations a call, and tell them to play these new tracks!

No "best of" compilation can be all-inclusive. For the true fan, there will be a glaring omission of a favored album cut or the addition of a less popular one; everyone cannot be satisfied. For the novice listener, such a collection can serve as an introduction to some of an artist's best work.

That said, "Behind the Music: the Darryl Hall and John Oates Collection" does just enough to satisfy both contingencies. Some of the pair's most successful releases are represented here with the addition of two "live" tracks and three newly recorded tunes.

The three newer cuts are worth the price of the album, however. Each exhibits the soulful execution and musicianship that has made the duo a music staple for three decades.

The album's highlight is the slick remake of "Every Time You Go Away", a musical tour de force that is passionate, sexy, and oh-so-soulful. It is, without a doubt, the guys' best recording...PERIOD.

These guys can teach the chart topping "youngsters" on the contemporary charts a thing or two, specifically how to SING a song and MEAN it.

Hall & Oates are one of the most commerically successful duos ever. The breakout charts of some of the former hits proof that over their career the dynamic duo scored at least six singles and sixteen Top Ten hits in the 1980's. Very impressive. Darn, right! To know the truth of this strong track record and the whole story of Hall & Oates watch VH1 Behind The Music.

All their familiar smash hits are bunched together here. Together they developed a distinctive sound and an impressive body of work. Ironically, their first album was titled 'Bigger Than Both of Us.' In the late 70's and early 80's they were unstoppable. Hall & Oates came of age with the Philly soul scene. Hall said that Philadelphia was the coolest capital and grew up in the midst of all that. The Temptations were their mentors. They were the best vocal group at that time. The two first met at the Philly Adelphia Ballroom. Their relationship has survive in their taste in music and the mutual connection runs deep like being soul brothers. Despite their differences their parntership stayed strong. Even though they didn't have anything in common. They did in their music. Something to learn from these two for getting things done.

Anyone remember their 1972 'Whole Oats' album? That's when they hit the music front. At this time they were already a crowd-pleasing soul band. The soulful folk-rock followed up with 'Abandon Lunchonette' (1973), 'War Babies' (1974), 'X-Static' (1979) and 'Voices' (1980). With 'Voices' album they were one class act and followed with platinum albums including Private Eyes (1981), 'H2O' (1982), 'Live at the Apollo with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks' (1985).

Just to listen to this collection brings back old memories. Plus added bonus of three new tracks. The most familiar tune is the beautiful "Somebody Like You." The earlier appeared on Daryl's solo album, 'Three Hearts In The Happy Ending Machine.' It's story is tragic that's heartbreaking and has lots of meaning behind it. The soulful 'Heartbreak Time' is a lovely but very sad tune that has an old to a new sound to it. And the dazzling radio hit, 'Do It For Love,' declares it's devotion to the one you care about with beauitful eloquent harmony. At a non-stop pace, forever going strong with their current, 'Forever For You.' The biggest kick is to see these two guys in a show. This duo remains for me one of the best soul- smothered, rock-fortified tower of soul.

Behind the Music struck out on the Hall and Oates story, but then being underrated and overlooked are par for the course for these guys. I only hope they are alive if and when they get their due. This CD is refreshing because it offers up new material from the duo. This collection is well worth the money and Do It for Love is a smash hit and Somebody Like You is beautifully redone. Now that Mottola isn't with Sony I bet he wishes he had the boys back in the stable.... sorry 3 times will not be the charm. I look for Daryl and John to have a great year and let the music world worship the ground they walk on!

This seems to me to be more than just another Hall & Oates collection among several. There's an emphasis here on the unmistakable soul influence and how it blends in so well with the basic rock style, and this emphasis is helped by the juxtaposition of studio hits and live versions along with the Unplugged version of "So Close" and the three new songs.

For sheer listening enjoyment, this CD falls a bit short though the great moments and the new songs make it worthwhile. But for a new and somewhat different perspective of the duo's career and of their importance in musical history, I definitely recommend it.

I bought this cd the day it came out and I thought it was going to be another run of the mill greatest hits. This offers some good songs as well as live versions of "she's gone" and "kiss on my list" (from their recently released "live" album) and a 9 minute live unreleased version of "everytime you go away". I also noted that "everything your heart desires" is the video version with daryl hall speaking in the middle. If you're a fan of Hall & oates like I am, BUY THIS CD! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!